Submitted by Kerry Patton
“Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. 3 Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. 5 For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.”
Waiter…waiter…more tea please!
It’s been a few years ago. Perhaps you recall. Before La Playa Maya had moved into their current location on Fort Worth highway here in Weatherford, there was a Chinese restaurant there named China Garden in that same building. Although China Garden has since gone out of business, I have very fond memories of it.
One of the major draws of that restaurant for me (and for many others as well) was a member of their wait-staff who every time she refilled my tea, she would smile so sweetly and say “thank you.” Without fail! Every time my glass even remotely needed a refill, there she was with her pitcher of tea, refilling it again. And every time, she would thank ME!
This person’s servant heart really hit home and resonated with me…and not just me, but other Christian friends of mine. Why? Because, it was so refreshing to be reminded that there is a joy in serving. And not simply to be reminded, but to see it in action. Waiting on others…serving others.
How’s your serve?
As we read above in Psalm 100, we are encouraged to: “Serve the Lord with gladness.” Serve the Lord with GLADNESS. Okay. But what about serving others? Do we serve others with gladness? Colossians 3:23 encourages us: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,”
Sometimes, serving can seem a thankless job. And it’s a lot easier to be served than to serve. I’ve heard stories about waiters practically starving to death for tips. They refill our tea, take our cold soup back to the kitchen, and carry our dirty dishes back to the kitchen for us. Many who try life as a waiter don’t cut it. They get discouraged serving others who then forget them when it comes time for the tip.
Serving can be discouraging. When we get discouraged in serving, it is helpful to remember the mercy of the Lord toward us. He has done so much! From major miracles to little day-to-day blessings…His love is a debt we could never repay. This doesn’t even consider what we owe for our salvation!
Have you given consideration to the blessings God has placed in your life? Take a moment to review all the Lord does for you. We have everything because of him. We remember, and in gratitude serve him with our very lives. And key to our serving the Lord? Serving others…like Jesus did.
Serve the Lord…with gladness.
Scripture to claim:
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16
Prayer – “Lord Jesus, help me to serve you…and to serve others with gladness. In all that I do, let me do it as unto you! Amen.”
